Evaluation of milk production by cows on a diet supplemented with nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) during the dry season

Abstract

Evaluation was made of a bovine milk production system using a total of 11 cows in two groups: G1, which was fed a conventional type diet according to the season of the year –(a) grazing and concentrates during the rainy season, (b) corn stover and concentrates during the dry season; G2- which was fed as in G1 during the rainy season and with the addition of a supplement of cactus pear or nopal (Opuntia ficus-indica) at the rate of 1.77 kg of dry matter (14.88 kg of fresh material) daily. Milk production (MP) was measured at 15-d intervals and the resulting data were analyzed using mixed model with repeated measures and minimum least square means methodology. MP was affected by group (P < 0.03) and the interaction of stage of lactation by treatment (P <0.001), but not by lactation number. Mean daily production of the cows G2 and G1 was 8.53 and 7.44 kg of milk, respectively. Use of nopal as a dietary supplement for milk-producing bovines is a viable alternative in rural areas of the country that enables increased production during time of scarcity of quality forage.